Pulock suffered a lower-body injury on December 7th and has been on long-term injured reserve since. After missing 24 games, Pulock will draw back into the lineup on Monday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has six points (2G / 4A), 37 hits, and 66 blocks in 25 games this season.
Sorokin will return to the crease for the Islanders on Monday after serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in the Islanders' last two games before the All-Star break, both losing efforts. Sorokin has not played since January 23rd and has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1) but has salvaged a respectable .911 SV% in the process. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 three weeks ago but are +139 road underdogs on Monday night.
Sorokin will likely return to the crease for the Islanders on Monday after serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in the Islanders' last two games before the All-Star break, both losing efforts. Sorokin has not played since January 23rd and has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1) but has salvaged a respectable .911 SV% in the process. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 three weeks ago but are +139 road underdogs on Monday night.
Rittich will start for the second straight game as the reeling Kings look for a solution to their losing woes. The Kings have lost 14 of their last 16 (2-9-5), and their only two wins have come with Rittich between the pipes. Rittich has played well for the Kings, allowing three or fewer goals in five of his last six outings (2-1-2), posting a respectable .916 SV%. The Kings are -115 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team riding a two-game losing skid.
Rittich will start for the second straight game as the reeling Kings look for a solution to their losing woes. The Kings have lost 14 of their last 16 (2-9-5), and their only two wins have come with Rittich between the pipes. Rittich has played well for the Kings, allowing three or fewer goals in five of his last six outings (2-1-2), posting a respectable .916 SV%. The Kings are -115 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team riding a two-game losing skid.
Martin will be unavailable on Thursday due to an illness. Hudson Fasching will draw back into the lineup in Martin's place.
Varlamov has been out since January 2nd due to a lower-body injury but returned Tuesday to back up Ilya Sorokin and will start Thursday vs. Montreal. The 35-year-old back up has exclaimed his excitement for new Head Coach Patrick Roy, who he played under in Colorado during Roy's inaugural coaching tenure. Varlamov is positing an impressive 6-4-2 record, 2.78 GAA And .918 SV% on the season. He will take on Montreal on Thursday.
Palat last played on December 30th, missing the last 10 games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. In 35 games this season, Palat has 14 points (5G / 9A), his lowest point-per-game pace since his rookie season in 2012-13.
Bear will re-enter the Capitals' lineup in place of the scratched Trevor van Riemsdyk for Wednesday's game in Colorado. Bear has one goal and one assist in 11 games this season.
Engvall has missed the last four games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Engvall has five goals and nine assists in 41 games this season.
Palat last played on December 30th, missing the last 10 games, but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. In 35 games this season, Palat has 14 points (5G / 9A), his lowest point-per-game pace since his rookie season in 2012-13.
Boqvist did not participate at practice on Monday due to an illness but will be ready to play against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday evening. The offensively gifted defenceman has four points (0G / 4A) in his last five games while quarterbacking the top powerplay unit.
Bear will exit the lineup for the first time since joining the Capitals team at the end of December. In 11 games, Bear has two points (1G / 1A), 19 shots, and 17 blocks. Alexander Alexeyev will also be a healthy scratch for the Capitals as Rasmus Sandin and Trevor van Riemsdyk will draw back into the lineup.
